Courtesy of USF
By James Bennett III
USF St. Petersburg has hired a new sustainability planner.
According to a university press release, Winnie Mulamba’s first day was on Jan. 2.
The university has operated without a sustainability planner since Sept. 7, 2018, after Brian Pullen left to take on the role of sustainability manager at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA.
As the campus’ sustainability planner, Mulamba is expected to track sustainability data, such as greenhouse gas emissions, increase faculty research and help student environmental organizations.
“Sustainability is one of the core values of this university and I’m looking to advance and enhance initiatives that have already and will continue to take place here,” Mulamba said in the press release.
“I’d like to see greater collaboration with local businesses and corporations in embracing sustainability into their business models. They play such a major role in society and sustainability is an area of competitive advantage to any business operation, fostering opportunities for longevity.”
This isn’t Mulamba’s first job with the university. While pursuing her master’s degree in sustainability at USF Tampa, she was hired as the Tampa campus’ internship coordinator, where she organized the Sustainability Internship Expo.
Mulamba also earned a degree in management. She earned both master’s degrees in three years.
Mulamba grew up in Kenya’s western countryside and Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing at KCA University, Mulamba began working for Kenya Seed Company, a state corporation that provides seeds to eastern and central African farming communities.
While there, Mulamba helped disadvantaged farmers initiate sustainable farming techniques that helped improve their financial standing.
“For me, working with farmers and engaging with the community got me interested on how to empower small-scale farmers to improve their standard of living,” Mulamba said in the press release. “It also led me to critically think on the future of food production and how it currently impacts society and the environment.”
Now, Mulamba told the university, she’s excited to work in sustainability at USF St. Petersburg.
